On April 17, 2026, faculty, staff, and students at Duke Kunshan University convened for the session of the “Embracing Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence for Inclusive Education” reading group series, which also marked the conclusion of this three-year event initiative. The discussion centered on Wei and Liu’s 2019 article “Coming out in Mainland China: A National Survey of LGBTQ Students.” The article reported LGBTQ students in mainland China by exploring their school experiences, coming-out status, perceived campus climate, and mental health outcomes. The article revealed that only 1.2% of LGBTQ students reported having formal anti-discrimination policies at their schools, and very few had access to teacher training or campus resources dedicated to supporting sexual and gender minority students. We reflected on the meaningful distinction between perceived safety and genuine inclusion, noting that while many students in the study felt physically safe at school, nearly half did not believe they could be their authentic selves, highlighting the quiet erasure and constraint embedded in heteronormative campus cultures.
We then delved into policy, educational, and practical implications for fostering inclusive education. We agreed on the urgent need for institutional anti-discrimination policies, mandatory training for faculty and staff on gender and sexual diversity, and the integration of comprehensive sexuality education that affirms LGBTQ identities into campus curricula. We also discussed the value of student support groups, positive representation, and open classroom dialogue as ways to counter stigma and create safer learning environments. The open exchange that followed allowed attendees to share personal and professional observations, connecting the research findings to real-world teaching practices and campus life.
As the final session of the three-year reading group series, this event closed with meaningful reflections on the journey of building cultural competence and inclusive education at DKU. The discussion reinforced that research-driven understanding of LGBTQ student experiences is foundational to creating equitable, supportive campuses, and that faculty, staff, and students all share a responsibility to uphold diversity and inclusion. The session concluded with gratitude to all participants for their engagement over the years, and a commitment to continuing the work of fostering safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces for every member of the campus community.
The event was organized by Zhenjie Weng, Assistant Professor of English Language Education, and Yanan Zhao, Senior Lecturer of English for Academic Purposes, from the Language and Culture Center. The event was sponsored by the Humanities Research Center, coveringthe fees for event promotion and refreshments for attendees.
